Flight 247
ATL-SJOJune 2, 2007
N631DL
This is my first trip report so be gentle please. I'm not in the aviation field so I don't know a lot of the technical terms. Living about an hour from the airport, Atlanta traffic is always a concern, but no problems this Saturday evening. We breezed thru, arriving a good two and half hours early. Parking was not an issue either. We usually park at the Park and Ride off Riverdale Rd. Its an easy shuttle to the terminal. Delta's new International check-in area is such an improvement. Gone are the days of forming the line all the way out in to the hallway. (hopefully) The lines were not very long and after trying to check in with my passport, which was unreadable, one of the Delta employees took us to the desk without having to wait in line. She was very helpful and friendly. Sometimes they act so impatient, but she gave us plenty of time to switch some of my stuff around so I wouldn't be overweight on any of my bags. As we finished up, she gave us drink vouchers, which is always a plus. Security did not take too long. My husband was disappointed to see we were leaving from the T gates, T-8 actually, since he wanted to go to the Duty Free Shop. He always takes Jack Daniels to his friends in CR. Deciding to take the train out to the E to buy his JD, I was nervous he might not make it back. But he did,no problem. Not to long after that, they started boarding. For once everyone cooperated and actually payed attention to their zones. No big lines to fight your way thru. The Delta gate agents were just so so. So we get on the plane and it's clean and smells pretty good.The seats are leather and it has the overhead screens in the aisle.

We were zone 6, seats 33 C,D and E. My 10 year old daughter was with us too. See, the3x3's do come in handy sometimes. I don't know why but there was no boarding music and in fact there was no music until they started the movie. But as I said I was impressed at how quickly everyone stowed their carry-ons and took their seats.

The food was pretty good. I ate barbeque chicken with veggies. Some red wine. I love the brownie they give.

My husband and daughter had the pasta in a red sauce. The flight attendants were helpful if not overly friendly. I guess I expected more excitement since DL had just come out of bankruptcy. There was one male attendant that was extremely nice and even continued to talk to us when we were waiting in immigration. The flight was uneventful and very smooth. We left a few minutes late and landed on time maybe even a little early.
Over the wing at sunset.
The only thing out of the ordinary was the landing. It had been raining and when we landed, at first it was smooth, but then, it was like the brakes locked up or something and it threw us forward in our seats. I personally had never had this happen before and there were some gasps from other passengers. After exiting the plane I was happy to see the new terminal at SJO. So much better than before.

Immigration was a little slow, there were a couple of other flights coming in. The luggage was there when we went to claim it and customs was really quick. We easily exited the airport and headed with our friends to Barva de Heredia.

We had a great time in San Jose, went to Dominical and Uvita. We didn’t do anymore flying while we were there. I don't really like small airplanes, but after crossing the Cerro de la Muerte at night in rain and fog, I may reconsider next time.
Our return flight was good. Again I’m so happy to see the new improved terminal at SJO. It’s so bright and spacious.

They also have someone playing the guitar in the gate area which is nice. Sorry I don’t know what gate we left from though. When we boarded the flight attendants were very friendly and there was music this time. Again the aircraft, #N635DL, was very clean and had leather seats.

The movie was the same movie from on the way down. I thought that was odd. Maybe an equipment change? We left just a bit late because the wind changed direction and they had to change the landing patterns. We waited maybe 10 or 15 minutes behind a Spirit and a CO flight.

Restaurant La Candela "Bienvenidos a Costa Rica"

The flight was a little turbulent and they suspended service a couple of times. My dinner was chicken in a brown sauce which was tasty and a really good lemon flan/cheesecake.

Can you tell I like the desserts?
My family opted for the pasta again, which they didn’t like as well this time. Bonus points to the FA for finding me a Diet Coke and not a Coke Light which I hate.

Somewhere over the Caribbean coast of CR, Nicaragua, Honduras.

We arrived in ATL on time and we got thru immigration and customs quicker than we ever have. We were in the car, headed home, an hour after we landed.

All in all, it was a great trip. Costa Rica is a beautiful place. Thanks to the "Ticos" for allowing us to enjoy your country. Thanks Delta for getting us there. Until next time.....Pura Vida!

Thanks for the great report! DL seems to really be trying and it shows. I didn't realize they gave you a choice of entrees on the Central America flights which is better than the rest. I think the only other carrier that offer's a choice now is TA since they re-instated catering on their flights.
I've heard the same about Coke light vs. Diet Coke. Though I've never had it, if you're a true Diet Coke fan, you will not like Coke light.

Were both airplanes 757-200s? Also, I was surprised to see that Delta offers a choice of two meals on this flight! I flew MIA-SJO on AMERICAN and they did not have any type of meal service or even snack selection. We got a drink and peanuts.

Technically I don't know the difference between Diet Coke and Coke Light, but the formula has to be different because they taste way different. Being from the south,I don't drink much Pepsi or Diet Pepsi, and Coke Light tastes like Pepsi to me. They have Coke Light in Mexico and all of the Central American countries I've been to. It used to be regular Diet Coke but they changed it about 6, 7 years ago at least in Costa Rica.

Poor you, having to depart from the T-Gates. T is the most miserable concourse of the six. No train to get there, nothing to speak of as far as food or other shops, and there are only gates on one side.

Careful, Doors Are Closing And Will Not Reopen. Please Wait For The Next Train

Quoting YYZYHZ (Reply 1):By the way what's the difference between Diet Coke and Coke Light?

As was said Coke light = Diet Coke. Howevever in every country coke usually tastes a bit different, forumla is the same but due to the amount that is put in and different water quality you can feel a difference.

Indeed, Japanese Coke is way better than US Coke. If I had to guess, I'd say it's made with real sugar, rather than high-fructose corn syrup. Because it tastes like coke I used to drink as a little boy.

Great trip report, by the way. You didn't provide hordes of useless details like the younger set like to do, but you provided enough detail to make it interesting. Please, do trip reports in the future!